With an initial $13 million investment from the City of New York, the Historic House Trust is launching an ambitious effort to preserve and reimagine Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse as a more accessible cultural destination.

The Historic House Trust of New York City is embarking on a once-in-a-generation effort to restore and revitalize the beloved Little Red Lighthouse, a landmark made famous by the classic 1942 children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. In partnership with innovative preservation design firm Henson Architecture, the project will preserve the lighthouse’s historic character while transforming the site into a more accessible, engaging, and welcoming destination for visitors today and for generations to come.

Originally built in 1880 in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, the lighthouse was relocated in 1921 to Jeffrey’s Hook in Fort Washington Park, where it has stood as a symbol of New York City’s maritime heritage, engineering innovation, and enduring connection to the Hudson River. Today, the Little Red Lighthouse is the only remaining historic lighthouse on the Island of Manhattan and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. “This beloved landmark tells a uniquely New York story: one of purpose, reinvention, and the power of people to influence change.” says Giulietta Fiore, Executive Director of the Historic House Trust. “Relocated to the banks of the Hudson more than a century ago, the Little Red Lighthouse has become a symbol of our city’s history, imagination, and resilience. It is my hope that generations to come will look upon this little lighthouse, find their own meaning in its story, and see it standing tall amid an ever-changing city.” 

For more than a century, the Little Red Lighthouse has captured the imagination of New Yorkers and visitors alike. The site remains a beloved destination for cyclists, picnickers, and boaters, while Urban Park Rangers lead tours throughout the year that bring its history to life. “The Little Red Lighthouse has inspired generations to look a little closer at the history and natural world around them,” said NYC Parks Urban Park Ranger Director Bonnie McGuire. “It is a place where the stories of the river, the city, and the park come together. We look forward to helping New Yorkers rediscover this remarkable landmark and all that surrounds it for years to come.” 

The restoration announcement comes as preparations are underway to welcome more than 2,000 New Yorkers to the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival on Saturday, October 3rd. Produced by Riverside Park Conservancy in partnership with NYC Parks, this free community celebration brings visitors to the waterfront for lighthouse tours, family activities, performances, and opportunities to learn more about the landmark’s history and future. Visitors can climb the lighthouse’s winding staircase to the lantern room, where they are rewarded with sweeping views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge, and the New York City skyline.

The Restoration Project

After more than 100 years on the banks of the Hudson River, the lighthouse will be reimagined as a more welcoming community resource with expanded opportunities for education, recreation, and public engagement. With this initial $13 million investment, design is underway to advance a comprehensive restoration and enhancement project that will:

• Restore the historic fabric of the lighthouse;
• Improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities;
• Enhance surrounding parkland and recreational areas;
• Upgrade safety features to welcome more children and visitors of all ages;
• Expand opportunities for free public tours;
• Improve signage and connections from public transportation; and
• Introduce historical and artistic interpretation to bring new stories to life.

The Little Red Lighthouse is a 40-foot-tall conical tower constructed of cast-iron plates on a cylindrical concrete foundation. The structure is composed of prefabricated cast-iron components riveted together on the interior and sealed on the exterior before being finished with layers of protective paint. This distinctive construction presents both unique preservation challenges and opportunities for deeper investigation into the lighthouse’s history and craftsmanship. While the restoration is underway, the public can explore the Little Red Lighthouse virtually through a new 3D experience that brings the landmark’s history and architecture to life.

As this ambitious project moves forward, the Historic House Trust is inviting community members to share their memories and stories through its “Letters to the Lighthouse” campaign, helping to capture the special place this landmark holds in the hearts of New Yorkers. The Historic House Trust also welcomes opportunities to collaborate on additional funding support for the project. Additional resources will allow the team to expand landscape improvements and further enhance the visitor experience.

“The Little Red Lighthouse is a unique and irreplaceable piece of the landscape of Fort Washington Park and the story of the Hudson River,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “We’re thrilled to see this beloved landmark restored for the delight of future generations, and we're excited to welcome New Yorkers to join us for more free programs like the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival.” 

About the Partners

Historic House Trust of New York City is a nonprofit organization that provides preservation expertise and advocacy for 23 publicly owned historic house museums across all five boroughs, including the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. Working in collaboration with NYC Parks and community-based nonprofit partners, the Historic House Trust is committed to the long-term preservation and public accessibility of these irreplaceable New York City landmarks.

Press Contact:
Giulietta Fiore
giulietta.fiore@historichousetrust.org
646-360-0203

NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums.

Chris Clark
pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov
212-360-1311

Henson Architecture is an internationally recognized preservation architecture firm dedicated to advancing the field of historic preservation through craftsmanship, traditional building practices, and innovative problem-solving. Founded in 2003, the firm specializes in expert building stewardship through preservation, restoration and appropriate, cutting-edge energy performance retrofits. Henson Architecture’s collaborative approach balances respect for historic character with our clients' current needs, ensuring that their heritage buildings remain vibrant, functional, and sustainable contributors to their communities for generations to come.

Scott Henson
scott@hensonarchitect.com
212-995-2464

Riverside Park Conservancy works in partnership with NYC Parks to restore, maintain and improve six miles of parkland from West 59th to West 181st Streets, including Fort Washington Park. The Conservancy supports landscape care, restoration, volunteer stewardship, and free public programming, including the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival.

Chloe Conceicao
chloe@riversideparknyc.org
212-870-3070